Metal enameling.



PATENTED OCT. 22, 1907.

G. M. BANNING. METAL E'NAMELING.

APPLICATION IILBD JAN. 23, 1907.

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GRACE M. BAN NING, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

METAL ENAMELING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 22, 1907.

Application filed January 23v 1907- Serial No. 353,610. I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GRACE MAY BANNING, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Metal Enameling, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the process of applying enamel to sheet metal,preferably brass, in such a manner as to produce a highly artistic andbeautiful appearance.

The present process differs from previous processes in that the enamelis applied from the rear to a sheet of perforated metal in such mannerthat the enamel will be exposed, in the form of beads, through theperforations, which method of applying the enamel enables a largesurface of perforated metal to be enameled, without difiiculty, byspreading the enamel over the rear or unexposed surface of the metal inthe form of a coat or layer. This obviates the necessity for applying adrop of enamel to each of the separate perforations and at the same timerenders the completed product more perfect than could be made, by theuse of ordinary care, were the enamel applied to each hole in the formof an individual drop.

The product of the present invention is adapted for use in covering manyarticles of an artistic and useful character, such as picture frames,desk sets, calendars, telephone records, and similar articles ofhousehold use and decoration.

The ease with which the process can be carried on, and the chcapness ofthe product, enable the enameled brass or metal of the present inventionto be widely used under circumstances which preclude the possibility ofusing enameled metal of the ordinary character.

The invention consists in the features of construction and combinationof parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a front view of a picture frame decorated bythe process of the present invention; Fig. 2 a cross sectional \dewtaken on line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a sectional detail showing thepreferred method of forming the holes and applying the enamel; Fig. 4 asimilar view showing a modified method of applying the enamel; Fig. 5 atop or plan view of the enameled metal of Fig. 3; and Fig. 6 a similarview of the enameled metal of Fig. 4.

In carrying out the process of the present invention I take a sheet ofbrass or similar metal and emboss there- I then lay the emdesignrequired. By punching the holes with an awl in a soft background a burwill be formed in connection with the hole, which bur is preferablyformed on the under or wrong side of the sheet of brass, although, ifdesired, the punching can be so performed as to bring the bur ointheright side of the brass, depending upon the artistic effect which it isdesired to produce in a completed article. After the holes have beenthus punched in the brass the enamel is applied, preferably to therearor burred side of the metal by means of a brush or similarimplement. The enamel can be spread over the entire surface or along aline of holes which can be swept over by the brush in a continuousoperation, and each of the holes will receive therein a drop or bead ofenamel which will be retained in position by means of the bur whichforms a socket similar to that in which a jewel is ordinarily held. Therough surface of the burs facilitates the enameling operation in thateach bur will ordinarily scrape off from the brush a su'flicient amountof enamel to just fill the socket provided by the bur. Although the rearor unexposed side of the metal presents the appearance of having enameldaubed or smeared thereon in spots or blotchcs, nevertheless the frontside, after the enamel has been spread on in the manner described, willpresent the appearance of perfect beads or jewels of enamel, each oneseparated from the others by a surrounding surface of brass, so that theeffect of the completed metal sheet will be highly beautiful andartistic. If desired the entire surface can be decorated by applyingenamel of a uniform color, although I have found that very beautifulresults are obtained by using variegated colors, which gives to thecompleted metal sheet the appearance of a mosaic work of antiquepattern.

Where it is dcsied to apply different colored enamels and preventintermingling of the colors, and where the holes are too close togetherto permit the coats of enamel to be easily separated from one another, Ifind it desirable to. enamel in one color, and thereafter allow thecolor to dry before cnamcling in another color. In many cases, however,I have found it highly artistic to allow the colors to mingle more orless, which produces many beautiful streaked and variegated effects inthe exposed beads or jewels of enamel.

Where it is desired to give to the completed surface the appearance of anumber of jewels each one held in a raised socket, the punching can beperformed in such manner as to bring the burs on the front surface ofthe metal, after which the enamel can be applied to the smooth or unburred surface in such manner as to give to each head of enamel theappearance of a separate jewel held within its own individual socket. Ihave found that it is impossible to apply enamel in the manner abovespecified in cases in which the metal has been entirely removed from theholes by a dieing or stamping process, since in such case no socket isafforded tor the retention of the enamel. Furthermore, the roughened orburred surface iacilitates the application of the en amel, although itcan be applied without difficulty to the smooth surface and worked intothe socket with a brush if it does not readily enter thercinto. Theenamel should be of sufficient fluidity to easily fill into the holeswithout running therethrough and smearing or mingling on the right sideof the burs. Enamel of any ordinary character can be used.

In the drawings 7 indicates a sheet of metal, preferably brass, hayingwrought therein-ridges or beads S which out line the design ,which, inthe present instance, is in the form of a picture frame. The holes 9 maybe arranged either in the form of a panel, or in the form of 1 rows, andcach hole has formed therewith a bur l0 preferably on the under side ofthe brass. The enamel, in the form of a. continuous coating or layer 11,covers the burred rear or under side of the brass over the puncturedsurface. It will be understood that in applying the enamel it isdesirable to spread it only over the holes, although carelessness inthis respect will only serve to waste the enamel witlwut impairing thevalue of the completed product. The layer or coating of enamel hasformed therewith beads or jewels 12 which enter the holes but areconnected with the main body of the enamel so that all the beads ofenamel are in a sense part of the same coating which renders theirbreaking out or displacement practically impossible. After the enamel isdry it will be quite hard and cannot; be displaced except by breaking itout with a sharp instrument or cracking it by bending the metal. Theenamel thus applied and hardened will never chip out under ordinaryconditions, and will last for an indefinite period.

In Figs. l. and (l a sheet of metal 1 3 has punched therein holes 1 1having burs l5 on the right side of the metal, and the layer of enamelI6 is applied to the smooth or unburred side, forming beads or jewels 18which extend upwardly above the surface of the metal and are held inplace by the burs. Where it is desired to give the ap pearance ofjewels, or where a large number of holes are not desired, this style ofeuameling will be found yet y beautiful in many cases.

The above methods of enamcling are highly advantageous in inany ways.The work is of such light charactor that it can be easily done by womenor children without the use of dies or heavy tools of any sort. Theembossed pressed out ridges or beads serve to outline the design in aclear and distinct manner, and the pancls can thereafter be lillcd inwith the holes and enameled, which produces a very beautiful and highlyartistic effect. The present invention is not intended to take the placeof the heavier styles of enameling frequently used in the production ofjewelry, since it is applicable rather to lighter articles of ornamentalusage. The enameling can be performed by unskilled persons and in anextremely rapid manner and without any danger of spoiling the work bycarelessness in performing the enameling operation.

Although I have used in the specification and claims the term enamel, Ido not intend to be limited in this regard, since I intend to include insuch term any coloring substance having properties enabling it to beused in a manner like that hitherto described. In like manner I intendby the term metal to embrace any similar sheet substance which can bepunctured to provide a bur and enameled in the manner heretoforedescribed.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The process of decorating metal, which consists in first punchingholes in the metal in such manner as to provide burs. a'nd then applyingenamel to the rear side of the metal. allowing the enamel to fill intothe burred holes, the latter affording sockets for the retention of theenamel, substantially as described.

2. The process of decorating metal, which consists in punching aplurality of adjacent holes in a piece of sheet metal and in a manner toprovide a bur around each hole and then in applying enamel in the formof a continuous layer or coating over the rear surface of the perforatedmetal. allowing the enamel to enter the holes and be rctained therein,the holes affording sockets for the retention cf the enamel,substantially as described.

23. The process of decorating metal, which consists in punching in asheet of metal a plurality of holes in a. manner to provide a bur aroundeach hole and then in applying enamel to the burred side of the metal bymeans of a suitable implement. the burs serving to scrape off suliicientenamel for each hole. the enamel being thereafter retained in placewithin the holes substantially as described.

4. The process of decorating metal, which consists in impressing in asheet of metal a design outlined by ridges. then in punching the metalsurface intermediate of the ridges with a plurality of holes in such amanner as to provide a. bur around each hole and then in applyingenamel, in the form of a. layer, to the rear or burred side of themetal. allowing the enamel to enter the holes and be retained therein bymeans of the burs, and be exposed in the form of beads or jewels,substantially as described.

7). As a new article of manufacture. a sheet of metal haying piercedtherein a plurality of holes, :1 bur around each hole, a layer of enamelon the rear side of the perforated metal. and beads or jewels of enamelconnected with the main layer and held within the burred holes,substantially as described.

(3. As a new article of manufacture, a sheet of metal having therein aplurality of holes, a bur around each hole. a continuous layer of enamelextending over the burred surface of the metal on the rear side thereof.and beads of enamel connected with the main layer and ent'cred withinthe sockets afforded by the burred holes, subst'unt'ially as described.

7. As a new article of manufacture, a sheet of metal, ridges outlining adesign wrought in the metal, holes intermediate of the ridges, each holehaving around its rear side a bur, a layer of enamel covering the burredsurface of the metal on the rear side thereof, and beads or jewels ofenamel connected with the main layer and entered and held within thesockets attordcd by the burred holes, snhstantially as described.

GRACE M. BANNING.

Witnesses SAMUEL W. BANNING. ll. ll. Boson.

